Holiday apartment in Kurzras by the glacier – skiing, Ötzi and hiking trails

Glacial landscape as an impressive backdrop

Kurzras lies directly at the foot of the Schnalstal Glacier. At the head of the Schnalstal Valley, the Hochjochferner covers 185 hectares. From the Iceman Ötzi Peak viewpoint, you can see 126 peaks over 3,000 metres high in three countries. This combination of glacial landscape and high-Alpine views shapes the choice of travel experiences as much as the search for a holiday apartment in Kurzras.

Winter between the glacier cable car and Alpin Arena

Alpin Arena Schnals is a glacier ski area where the altitude makes skiing possible from autumn well into spring. In addition to Alpine skiing, it offers ski touring, snowshoe hikes, winter hiking trails and one of Europe's highest cross-country ski tracks. The Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car takes guests from Kurzras to 3,212 metres in six minutes, overcoming more than 1,000 metres in altitude.

The route to Iceman Ötzi Peak also begins in Kurzras, with a ride on the glacier cable car to the mountain station. The final ascent leads via a staircase with a handrail to the viewing platform at 3,251 metres. This allows winter sports and a striking viewpoint to be combined in different daily itineraries.

Routes for climbers, hikers and those interested in history

At the foot of the Kurzrasbach waterfall, the “Larix” via ferrata runs across several suspension bridges, two sky ladders, a zip line and some challenging climbing sections. The “Alpin Trail” mountain hiking path also runs through the Schnalstal Valley and is marked with red crosses. Both options cater to different preferences for activity and altitude.

The A1 archaeological hike leads from Kurzras by glacier cable car to the mountain station, across the Grawand and along the ridge down to the small Finailsee lake and the former highest-altitude grain farm, Finailhof. From Maso Corto, Trail 1 follows the Unterer Berg irrigation channel; it then branches off onto Trail 11A to the Lazaun plateau and the Lazaun mountain hut. The various starting points help you choose a holiday apartment in Kurzras according to your preferred combination of cable-car rides, high-altitude trails and valley hikes.

Art and vibrant traditions

On the Grawand ridge, the public art installation “Our Glacial Perspectives” consists of nine gates and a pavilion. From Kurzras, it can be reached by glacier cable car and then on foot along the ridge. Tours to the site where Ötzi was found are also offered year-round, starting at the head of the valley in Kurzras. In summer, the “Ötzi Glacier Tour” is offered as a glacier hike.

In the Schnalstal Valley, transhumance, or the seasonal movement of sheep, is an old and still vibrant tradition that is part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The animals' return is celebrated with a shepherds' festival featuring food and drink, music and entertainment. This adds a cultural experience to the sporting and scenic aspects of the stay.

Nature on the Lazaun plateau

The Lazaun plateau is characterised, among other things, by an active rock glacier and a raised bog. It is home to Alpine flora, including dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), as well as marmots, rock ptarmigans and white grouse. Anyone wishing to observe habitats and Alpine wildlife in addition to glacier views will find a distinct focus for planning their day here.

Choose a holiday apartment in Kurzras to suit your travel plans

Bus route 261 runs hourly from Merano to Kurzras. When choosing your accommodation, your planned activities can therefore be decisive: proximity to the glacier cable car, high mountains, hiking trails, art and traditions opens up various ways of spending your stay. A holiday apartment in Kurzras is particularly well suited to your plans if you want to combine these different experiences from a single base.

Discover more places

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Rein in Taufers, Wipptal, Völs Am Schlern, Laag, Wahlen, Colle di Fuori, Petersberg and Prenn.

To the main travel overview: Bolzano.